A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in El Paso, Texas, has been arrested on charges of smuggling and drug trafficking. Manuel Perez Jr. is accused of conspiring to bring undocumented individuals into the U.S. for financial gain and possessing a significant amount of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. This arrest follows recent investigations into widespread misconduct within CBP, prompting calls for a more thorough federal inquiry.
A Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) officer was arrested in El Paso , Texas , on smuggling and drug trafficking charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas . Manuel Perez Jr., a resident of El Paso , was apprehended and charged for his alleged role in a conspiracy to smuggle undocumented individuals into the United States for financial gain and involvement in drug trafficking activities. U.S.
Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas announced the charges. Federal prosecutors allege that between December 21, 2023, and February 5, 2025, Perez Jr. engaged in the smuggling and attempted smuggling of undocumented noncitizens into the U.S. They claim he facilitated the entry of a vehicle driven by an undocumented noncitizen at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso as part of human smuggling operations.Moreover, Perez Jr. is accused of conspiring to possess a substance containing at least 5 kilograms of cocaine from November 1, 2019, through February 5, 2025, with the intention of distributing it throughout Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina. He faces one count of conspiracy to bring undocumented noncitizens to the United States for financial gain, three counts of bringing undocumented noncitizens to the United States for financial gain, and one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. This arrest follows a series of investigations into hundreds of U.S. border officers for alleged misconduct, including trafficking, bribery, and sexual assault, which came to light in September 2023.Official figures obtained by Newsweek revealed that 211 CBP officers faced accusations ranging from serious criminal offenses such as drug smuggling to non-criminal misconduct. The documents detailed 17 alleged cases of domestic violence, 11 cases of sexual assault, and 10 cases of smuggling migrants across the border. An additional 11 agents were under investigation for physically assaulting a detainee, while 13 were accused of associating with criminal gangs. At the time, all cases were under review by the CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), and concerned active officers. The findings of alleged misconduct during the 2023-2024 fiscal year have prompted calls for an FBI investigation. While it remains unclear whether Perez Jr. was among the agents investigated in September, Esparza stated that his investigation was a collaborative effort involving the FBI El Paso, OPR, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
CBP Smuggling Drug Trafficking El Paso Texas Immigration Border Patrol Misconduct FBI Investigation
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Exclusive: Fox News Flies Over El Paso Border, Witnessing CBP's High-Tech Migrant Apprehension EffortsFox News gained exclusive access to a late-night helicopter flight over the El Paso, Texas sector, witnessing firsthand the operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in apprehending migrants attempting to evade detection. The team observed advanced technology used by CBP, including nighttime vision goggles, high-tech cameras, and lasers, demonstrating the agency's commitment to securing the border. Agents reported a decrease in encounters and 'gotaways,' highlighting the effectiveness of border security measures.
Read more »
Philadelphia Police Officer Shoots Driver After Camaro Hits Officer During Investigation of Car MeetupA Philadelphia police officer shot a 22-year-old man after he allegedly struck an officer with a Chevrolet Camaro during an investigation of a car meetup in the city. The incident occurred early Sunday morning after police pursued the suspect's vehicle from a Target parking lot where the meetup was taking place.
Read more »
SAPD: Woman punched officer in face multiple times while officer attempted to break up IHOP fightSan Antonio police said a woman was arrested after allegedly punching an officer in the face who tried to stop a fight at a West Side restaurant.
Read more »
Chinese Intelligence Officer Uses Stock Trading Chat to Recruit US Navy Petty OfficerA Chinese intelligence officer used a stock trading chat group on WeChat to entice a 24-year-old US Navy petty officer named Thomas Zhao to share sensitive military information. The officer initially engaged Zhao in conversations about investment strategies before gradually shifting the focus to classified topics like naval exercises and radar installations. This case highlights a new tactic employed by Chinese intelligence, dubbed 'virtual espionage,' where agents target individuals on social media and professional networking sites to extract sensitive data.
Read more »
Miami Beach Officer Shoots Fellow Officer in Leg During Suspect StruggleNewly released body camera footage shows the moment a Miami Beach Police officer accidentally shot a fellow officer in the leg while struggling with a man on a busy Florida roadway. Officer Shenaqua Stringer was responding to a 911 call reporting a suspicious person possibly carrying a gun. During the struggle, Stringer accidentally fired, striking Officer Fabio Balanos in his left leg. The suspect, who reached into his pocket for what turned out to be a metallic cigarette lighter, was later determined to be a missing person and was not charged with a crime.
Read more »
Miami Beach Police Officer Accidentally Shoots Fellow Officer During Suspect ArrestBody camera footage reveals the moment a Miami Beach Police officer accidentally shot a fellow officer in the leg while struggling with a suspect. Officer Shenaqua Stringer was responding to a 911 call about a suspicious person when the incident occurred. The suspect reached into his pocket, prompting Stringer to draw her weapon. During the struggle, Officer Fabio Balanos arrived and was accidentally shot by Stringer. The suspect, later identified as a missing person, was not charged with a crime. The incident remains under internal investigation.
Read more »